Welcome to Bonifest 2011!! This year marks the 27th anniversary for Bonifest, which will take place on Friday, May 27th and Saturday, May 28th of Memorial Day weekend. Bonifest has always been a major community event and significant fundraiser for the St. Boniface Parish. It has become known as the traditional "kick-off" to summer in the area. Edwardsville, Illinois is home to St. Boniface Catholic Church and it is one of the fastest growing communities in the St. Louis Metro East area. St. Boniface is located at the intersection of Vandalia and Buchanan Streets in Edwardsville.
Bonifest 2011 will feature many of its previous activities such as the 12th Annual 5k Run for Bonifest, great food, drink, games, bingo, and music. Also returning are amusement activities for all ages, a breakfast-pancake show, a washer tournament and a live auction. Included again will be a drawing with a $15,000 grand prize and other cash prizes!! We are also excited about our "Main Stage" venue that will highlight the crowd pleasing music of the bands "Phins", "Kim Massie" and "Paint the Earth".
Phins will be the Bonifest’s main stage headliner on Friday from 7:30 p.m. until 11p.m. They are the Midwest’s premier “Trop” Rock Band performing Jimmy Buffet style music. While Phins primarily perform around the Midwest, they recently entertained a crowd at “LuLu’s” in Gulf Shores, Alabama. “LuLu’s is an establishment owned by LuLu Buffet – Jimmy’s little sister. Phins are currently working on their second CD that is soon to be released and is titled “Welcome to the Beach”. We welcome Phins to Bonifest ’11!!
Kim is a St. Louis native who spenther formative years in the Cleveland, Ohio area. As a single mother of three children in the 1980's she struck out for goldon the local karaoke circuit. Though her earliest musical experiences were schooled in the gospels choirs of East St. Louis, she has had no formal training as a vocalist. This God given talent reaped her many a first place prize. In 1999 Kim returned to St. Louis to be with her mother and persue her dream of live performance.She was first discovered sitting in on a local Thursday night gig with St. Louis' own late great Oliver Sain. This led to her first collaboration with some of this city's best musicians(who became the Solid Senders) and a weekly gig at the Beale on Broadway. Ten years later Kim has achieved her dream. She is one of the most recognizable vocalists in St. Louis. Her ability to sing not only blues and gospel but rock, pop and country have earned two best Female vocalist of the year awards, a starring role in a Black Repertory Theater production of "Ain't Nothin But The Blues" and four outstanding CD's. The latest, "Lady by Choice" is a powerful mix of Blues, Gospel and R&B that captures the essence of Kim's dynamic vocal power.
Paint the Earth will take the main stage Saturday evening from 7p.m. until 11p.m. at the Bonifest. PTE has been a St. Louis favorite for the past seventeen years. This group is a staple on the cover band circuit and is one of the hardest working bands in the St. Louis area. Paint the Earth was voted Best Cover Band in River Front Times, Best of St. Louis 2004 and in Spotlight magazine. They play modern rock, covers, and original music.
While we are excited about these two St. Louis bands, we are equally thrilled to be featuring local favorite bands. The bands Perry's Basement Garage Band, Hick Town, Love Me Leave Me, Exit Twelve, and Kim Massie will be entertaining throughout the weekend. Be sure to check out the rest of the site to see what Bonifest is all about including a full schedule of Bonifest events. You will not be disappointed!!!
